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Thirsty Work, the wine show presented by local expert and Hawke's Bay Today wine writer Yvonne Lorkin, is returning to our television screens.

The eight-episode series visits New Zealand's vineyards, barrel halls, tank farms, cellar doors, breweries and bottle designers of the future, uncovering some of the best little wine and craft beer stories around.

The first episode screened yesterday at 3.35pm.

As co-founder and chief tasting officer for www.winefriend.co.nz, Ms Lorkin recently had her tastebuds insured for $1million through Lloyds of London.

"I really wanted to create a show that encourages people to look beyond what's in their glass and connect with what they're drinking on a personal level, to reveal that there's a person, a family and a fascinating story behind that bottle that you've just bought," Ms Lorkin said.

"The other key priority is I also really want viewers to come away feeling more confident about choosing and serving wine, matching it with food and absorbing some handy wine and beer tips that'll help them sound flash in front of their friends."

Flash is definitely how the show looks, due to it being researched and produced by Ms Lorkin and directed by her long-time collaborator Carolyn Sylvester, one of NZ's top lifestyle television visionaries.

Ms Sylvester captures the crisp, exotic nature of not only the drinks on show, but also the stunning locations and complex characters that create them.